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Biography
Simon Antony Henig CBE (born June 1969) is a British politician, leader of Durham County Council, and since 15 April 2014, chair of the North East Combined Authority (NECA). He is a lecturer in politics at the University of Sunderland.
Early life
Simon Henig was born in June 1969, the son of the former Labour MP and Lancaster council leader Stanley Henig, and the historian Ruth Henig. Simon's grandfather, Sir Mark Henig, served as Lord Mayor of Leicester and led the English Tourist Board. He was educated at Moorside Primary School, Lancaster, Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford.
Career
Politics
In 1999, Henig was first elected as a councillor in the County Durham town of Chester-le-Street.
From 2001 to 2008, Henig was the agent for North Durham CLP, and chair of the North East Regional Board. In 2007, Henig was runner-up to be the Labour candidate to replace Tony Blair as MP forSedgefield.
Since May 2008, Henig has been Leader of Durham County Council. In 2013, Henig led his local Labour Party to a substantially increased majority and a council group of 94, the largest in the UK. He is the chair of the Association of Labour Councillors. Henig is chair of the Co Durham Partnership Board, a member of Labour's National Policy Forum and Chair of the Regional Board.
Henig was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours.
Academia
Henig is a lecturer in politics at the University of Sunderland, specialising in psephology, the branch of political science which deals with the study and scientific analysis of elections.
Publications
Henig's publications include The Political Map of Britain, Politico's Guides to the 2005 and 2010 General Elections and Women and Political Power: Europe since 1945.
Personal life
Henig's wife Katherine is also a Labour councillor. She was first elected in 2013, when she took the ward of Chester-le-Street South from the Liberal Democrats. The couple have two children and live in Chester-le-Street. Henig's interests include travel, football and cricket.